GreaterManchesterECCLESStMaryVirgin(daviddixonCC-BY-SA2.0)1 DavidDixon

St Mary the Virgin

St Mary's has stood here for at least 800 years.

Eccles, Greater Manchester

Oriau agor

The church and cafe are open Tuesday 10am to 1.30pm and Saturday 10am to 12noon.

Cyfeiriad

Church Street
Eccles
Greater Manchester
M30 0DL

The name Eccles itself is derived from a primitive Welsh word borrowed from the Latin meaning 'a church'.

By the early 15th century, its nave had been rebuilt when the aisles were widened and the magnificent carved timber roof was constructed. The carved bosses show the Sun in Splendour, the badge of the Yorkist King Edward IV during the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).

Over the centuries, many of the masons who carried out alterations and extensions left their signatures on their work, and there are 16 different masons' marks in this church, to be found especially in the nave and the tower.

In the 20th century, the galleries were removed to open the church to its full beauty, and in 1929 two stained glass windows were installed at the west end.

The one on the south side is the Palm Sunday window, made of 16th century glass. It is said to have been brought to England at the time of the French Revolution from a convent in Rouen and placed in the now demolished St John's Church, off Deansgate. When it closed, the window came to Eccles.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • On street parking at church

  • Parking within 250m

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Church of England

Contact information

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